Messager: Les P'tites Michu / Dumoussaud, Pays de la Loire National Orchestra

$42.99
Label
Bru Zane
Release Date
January 11, 2019
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      MESSAGER, ANDRE
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Orchestre National Des Pays De La Loire
    • PERFORMER
      Choeur D'Angers Nantes Opera, Compagnie Les Brigands, Dumou
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      January 11, 2019
    • UPC
      9788409056071
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      BZ1034
    • LABEL
      Bru Zane
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      2
    • GENRE
      Classical
    Works ⌄

    1. Act I: Ouverture

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    2. Act I Scene 1: Choir et Couplets: Le tambour résonne (Mlle Herpin, Chorus)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Angers-Nantes Opéra Choir, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Caroline Meng

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    3. Act I Scene 1: Dialogue: Bien! … Je suis contente (Mlle Herpin)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Angers-Nantes Opéra Choir, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Caroline Meng

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    4. Act I Scene 3: Duet: Tu y es? … Blanche-Marie et Marie-Blanche (Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Violette Polchi, Anne-Aurore Cochet

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    5. Act I Scene 3: Dialogue: Alors, mesdemoiselles (Blanche-Mar) - Scene 4: Mon Dieu! mesdemoiselles (Gaston, Blanche-Mar, Marie-Blanche, All)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Angers-Nantes Opéra Choir, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Philippe Estèphe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    6. Act I Scene 4: Madrigal: Quoi! Vous tremblez, ma belle enfant (Gaston)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Philippe Estèphe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    7. Act I Scene 4-5: Dialogue: Maintenant, à chat perché (Claire, All)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Angers-Nantes Opéra Choir, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Philippe Estèphe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    8. Act I Scene 5: Trio: Michu! Michu! Michu (Gaston, Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Philippe Estèphe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    9. Act I Scene 5: Dialogue: Du moment que cela vous suffit (Gaston, Mlle Herpin, Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Caroline Meng, Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Philippe Estèphe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    10. Act I Scene 6-7: Couplets: Sapristi!le beau militaire! (Marie-Blanche)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Violette Polchi

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    11. Act I Scene 7: Dialogue: Et dire qu'au lieu de ça (Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    12. Act I Scene 8: Morceau d'ensemble et Couplets: Nous v'là! Nous v'là! Nous v'là! (Madame Michu, Michu, Aristide)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan, Artavazd Sargsyan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    13. Act I Scene 9: Dialogue: Oh!oui! … T'es une rude femme! … (Michu, Mlle Herpin, Aristide, Madame Michu)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Caroline Meng, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan, Artavazd Sargsyan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    14. Act I Scene 10: Morceau d'ensemble: Voici papa, maman Gâteau (Chorus, Michu)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Angers-Nantes Opéra Choir, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    15. Act I Scene 10-11: Dialogue: S'en donnent-elles! … (Madame Michu, Michu, Aristide, Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Marie Lenormand, Artavazd Sargsyan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    16. Act I Scene 11: Couplets: Blanche-Marie est douce et bonne (Aristide)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Artavazd Sargsyan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    17. Act I Scene 11-13: Dialogue: Mais pardon, mon bon Aristide (Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar, Madame Michu, Aristide, Michu)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan, Artavazd Sargsyan, Caroline Meng, Romain Dayez

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    18. Act I Scene 14: Finale: Je viens d'entendre un roulement! (Mlle Herpin, Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar, Aristide)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan, Artavazd Sargsyan, Romain Dayez, Caroline Meng

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    19. Act II Scene 1: Introduction et choir: À la santé du général! (Chorus, Le Général)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Angers-Nantes Opéra Choir, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Boris Grappe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    20. Act II Scene 1: Rondeau: Non!Je n'ai jamais vu ça! (Le Général)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Boris Grappe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    21. Act II Scene 1-3: Dialogue: Ah!Ah! … Mesdames (Le Général, Gaston)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Boris Grappe, Philippe Estèphe, Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan, Romain Dayez

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    22. Act II Scene 6: Quartet: Entre là! (Madame Michu, Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar, Michu)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    23. Act II Scene 6-7: Dialogue: Voilà mon général! (Bagnolet, Madame Michu, Michu, Le Général)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan, Boris Grappe, Romain Dayez

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    24. Act II Scene 12: Duo: Ah!Quel malheur! (Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    25. Act II Scene 12: Dialogue: Hein? … Mais elles sont deux à présent! (Le Général, Blanche-Mar, Marie-Blanche, Bagnolet, Michu, Madame Michu)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan, Romain Dayez, Boris Grappe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    26. Act II Scene 12: Couplets: Me prenez-vous pour un conscrit (Le Général)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Boris Grappe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    27. Act II Scene 13-15: Dialogue: Je vous donne une demi-heure (Madame Michu, Blanche-Mar, Marie-Blanche, Michu)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Boris Grappe, Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    28. Act II Scene 15: Prière: Saint Nicolas, qui faites tant de choses (Blanche-Mar, Marie-Blanche)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    29. Act II Scene 15: Dialogue: Eh bien! … Es-tu plus tranquille? … (Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Philippe Estèphe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    30. Act II Scene 16: Trio: C'est la fille du général! (Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar, Gaston)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Philippe Estèphe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    31. Act II Scene 17: Reprise de la Prière: Saint Nicolas, qui faites tant de choses (Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    32. Act II Scene 17-19: Dialogue: Qu'est-ce que tu viens de faire (Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar, Michu, Le Général)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan, Boris Grappe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    33. Act II Scene 20: Finale: Capitaine, approchez! (Le Général, Gaston)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Angers-Nantes Opéra Choir, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan, Boris Grappe, Philippe Estèphe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    34. Act II Scene 21: Couplets: Mesdames grand merci (Marie-Blanche)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Angers-Nantes Opéra Choir, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Marie Lenormand, Damien Bigourdan, Boris Grappe, Philippe Estèphe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    35. Act III Scena 1: Introduction et choir: À la boutique! (Chorus, Michu, Madame Michu, Aristide)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Angers-Nantes Opéra Choir, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Artavazd Sargsyan, Damien Bigourdan, Marie Lenormand

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    36. Act III Scene 2: Dialogue: Eh bien!Ma femme? … (Michu, Madame Michu, Aristide)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Artavazd Sargsyan, Damien Bigourdan, Marie Lenormand

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    37. Act III Scene 4: Couplets: Comme une girouette (Aristide)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Artavazd Sargsyan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    38. Act III Scene 5: Dialogue: Ce pauvre Aristide! … (Blanche-Mar, Aristide, Marie-Blanche)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Artavazd Sargsyan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    39. Act III Scene 6: Romance: Vois-tu, je m'en veux à moi-même (Blanche-Mar)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    40. Act III Scene 6-8: Dialogue: Oui, mais chez Mademoiselle Herpin (Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar, Michu)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Damien Bigourdan, Marie Lenormand, Boris Grappe, Philippe Estèphe, Artavazd Sargsyan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    41. Act III Scene 11: Morceau d'ensemble: Bonjour, mesdam's les mariées! (Chorus)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Angers-Nantes Opéra Choir, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Philippe Estèphe, Artavazd Sargsyan, Caroline Meng

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    42. Act III Scene 11: Ronde: On peut chercher en tous pays (Mlle Herpin)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Angers-Nantes Opéra Choir, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Caroline Meng

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    43. Act III Scene 11: Dialogue: J'offre une tournée, en face, à la Cigale! (Michu, Mlle Herpin, Blanche-Mar, Aristide, Marie-Blanche, Gaston)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Damien Bigourdan, Marie Lenormand, Philippe Estèphe, Artavazd Sargsyan, Caroline Meng

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    44. Act III Scene 11: Duo: Rassurez-vous, monsieur Gaston (Blanche-Mar, Gaston)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Philippe Estèphe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    45. Act III Scene 12: Dialogue: Tenez, capitaine … (Blanche-Mar, Gaston)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Damien Bigourdan, Marie Lenormand, Philippe Estèphe, Artavazd Sargsyan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    46. Act III Scene 13-15: Sextuor: Assieds-toi là (Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar, Gaston, Michu, Aristide)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Damien Bigourdan, Marie Lenormand, Philippe Estèphe, Artavazd Sargsyan

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    47. Act III Scene 16: Dialogue: Mademoiselle, voici ce que vous m'avez demandé (Bagnolet, Marie-Blanche, Le Général, Michu)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi, Damien Bigourdan, Marie Lenormand, Philippe Estèphe, Artavazd Sargsyan, Romain Dayez, Boris Grappe

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud

    48. Act III Scene 16: Couplet Final: Mesdam’s, messieurs, n’ont qu’un souhait (Marie-Blanche, Blanche-Mar)

      Composer: André Messager

      Ensemble: Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire

      Performer: Anne-Aurore Cochet, Violette Polchi

      Conductor: Pierre Dumoussaud


Formed to promote French Romantic repertoire, Palazzetto Bru Zane is doing sterling work with its Book+CD series. I’m especially enjoying exploring the Opéra français releases and with Les P'tites Michu the series has reached volume 19; a limited edition of 3,000. Incidentally Palazzetto Bru Zane has ceased using Ediciones Singulares as the title of its label which is now called Bru Zane.

Messager was a leading figure in French operetta in the late 1800s and, as a composer of mainly stage works (opéras comiques, opérettes and ballets), is probably best known today for his ballet Les Deux Pigeons. As an admirer of French Romantic music, I am delighted to receive this newly released two CD set of Messager’s Les P'tites Michu (The Little Michus), an operetta I previously knew only by name.

Premièred in November 1897 Les P'tites Michu, an opérette in three acts, quickly became a great success both at home, enjoying one hundred and fifty performances at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens, and abroad notably being staged in London and on Broadway. Les P'tites Michu had been written in the wake of several embarrassing failures for Messager, particularly his humiliation with Le chevalier d'Harmental at the Opéra-Comique in 1896, where it was pulled after only six performances. As providence would have it, whilst in England Messager received an unsolicited libretto through the post for the opérette Les P'tites Michu sent by renowned librettists Albert Vanloo and Georges Duval. Messager didn’t know that the libretto had already been rejected by three composers, but clearly fully motivated, he completed the score in just three months. The plot briefly concerns the identities of two little girls, one the daughter of Marquis des Ifs and the other a daughter of Michu who runs a cheese shop. Whilst in his care, Michu mixes up the two girls whilst giving them a bath. Years later, on Blanche-Marie’s wedding day, the Marquis notices her resemblance to his late wife and realises that she must be his daughter.

This recording is taken from live performances at Théâtre Graslin, Nantes with stage direction by Rémy Barché. A fine French cast has been assembled, bringing this sun-drenched comedy to life with singing that sparkles from start to finish. My highlight is from Act Two with soprano Anne-Aurore Cochet and mezzo Violette Polchi singing Blanche-Marie’s and Marie-Blanche’s quite delightful duet Ah! Quel malheur, quel malheur (Oh, what a misfortune). From Act One, in the role of shop assistant Aristide, tenor Artavazd Sargsyan copes well with the couplets Blanche-Marie est douce et bonne (Blanche-Marie is gentle and kind). I notice André Noël (1892-1967) a tenor at the Opéra-Comique made a fascinating early recording of this piece on a collection of his operetta arias for Pathé (N° X. 90019 - N 203201 Choudens) which can be viewed on YouTube. Excelling here in the Act Three Romance a dreamy waltz Vois-tu, je m'en veux à moi-même (You see, I blame myself), Anne-Aurore Cochet is in charming voice as she laments her dreary existence and misses her boarding school. Susan Graham on her 2002 Erato album ‘French Operetta Arias’ has championed Blanche-Marie’s Romance which is a real gem. It’s also contained in her 2010 box set ‘The Art of Susan Graham’ (review). Additionally from act three is Blanche-Marie and Gaston’s attractive duet Rassurez-vous monsieur Gaston (Don’t worry, monsieur Gaston) as they capture the innocence of concealing their sorrow from each other. As the hearty army captain, the smoky tones of Philippe Estèphe contrast well with the Anne-Aurore Cochet’s girlish innocence. Directed by choir-master Xavier Ribes, the Chœur d'Angers Nantes Opéra is in fine order, singing with assurance and unity which are especially noticeable in the splendid Halles ensemble Marchandes et Marchands from Act Three. Under the baton of Pierre Dumoussaud, the Orchestre national des Pays de la Loire (using some forty-five players) performs with verve and sparkle.

Sumptuously presented, the two CDs fit inside a 176-page hard-back book which includes essays, a synopsis and French texts together with an English translation placed alongside. A slight grumble concerns the article ‘P'tites Michu, number by number’ where the pieces discussed are not linked to track numbers. Recorded live in May 2018 at Théâtre Graslin, Nantes, the overall sound has a satisfying quality and is well balanced. Not surprisingly, the recording has some minor stage noise and applause has been retained at the conclusion.

Bru Zane’s Opéra français series continues to captivate and with Messager’s opérette Les P'tites Michu grandly maintains its high standards.

– MusicWeb International (Michael Cookson)